This post is the next one submitted by Ben McGee. He tells of events he remembers from his time at Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF). As Jane Whaley said during my time at WOFF, no one can take your experiences from you. They are yours. The following are more of Ben McGee’s memories and experiences.

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I would like everyone involved to know that I will show respect where due yet, I’m going to be very frank about my thoughts, perceptions and the subsequent actions that took place; this applies to everyone in that community and local government. Jesus is in control and he will be glorified regardless of our purpose. I honestly don’t know everything that was going on and I do not condemn anyone or any agency for what they did or didn’t do. Again as a stated before, the purpose is to save and not destroy. God is our ultimate judge and we shall all be held accountable whether you believe this or not. Man was given free will in the garden because of his actions and no one on this earth was appointed to suppress or control free will, including the original apostles.

The Ugly Truth

Here is some insight to things I witnessed which were triggers that led to my decision at first to doubt and ultimately leave this oppressive regime. They are random as the timeline is not clear to me. This is not a debate about doctrine right or wrong, I’ll let you decide what is Holy and Acceptable.

Oh, where to start! The blinders started to fail when Derek Moser took his stand to leave because he was not allowed to make a better life for his family. This is my assumption as I have never spoken with them at length. Derek simply wanted to start a business but, Jane decided he was not in a place in God or not ready to do this yet. I was standing in the hall outside Jane’s office where they were meeting with open door. I wasn’t intentional listening, nothing better to do while waiting my turn to speak with the high priestess. This process is referred to as locking in. Approval or disapproval of a thought or action and its eventual success or failure was done this way and the line and wait could be lengthy. Attempts at circumventing this process were frowned upon and dealt with in creative and usually stressful emotional ways.

At one point, I was standing in a reception area of the old school office building with my daughter waiting for what I don’t remember. Karel Reynolds was standing in this area talking with someone (locking in) and another young woman was waiting her turn leaning on the wall as she was exhausted. She fell asleep standing up and fell to the floor hitting her head. Several people including Karel came to her aid and thankfully to my knowledge she was not hurt badly. This brings to light the use of sleep deprivation which was widely used particularly after Inside Edition in 1995. I know men were encouraged to work all day, attend any services and then pull guard duty at night. I won’t mention names, but, I did hear some conversations about this. I’m sure there were other pressing details or needs to be met such as Jane’s house needed cleaning by the spirit of god. I guess if Jane didn’t sleep due to her ailments – why should anyone else need to. I believe this was referred to as stretching in the spirit.

In one service the saved and unsaved were divided as in saved to the right side and unsaved to the left of the sanctuary. Then the high priestess would check you out in the spirit, to see if this was what god was showing her. Some were disappointed. I just moved to the left and watched this tragedy unfold.

The issue of speaking in tongues came to light in one service, as it was exposed that some were not of God. Each of us was to stand before a senior leader and speak in tongues to have this checked out. I stood before Sam Whaley and I was approved. Imagine my relief. Again some were disappointed. I don’t remember how the disappointed were instructed but the gospel is clear about this gift. Some have the gift and some don’t. Some have the gift to interpret but, unless you’re out right blaspheming, it is best given the reverence deserved.

Another event was regarding cult finances. Someone had dared ask were all the money coming in was being used. Jane stormed in the side door one day and in her (voice of the dark side) announced – Who wanted to know where the money went? I was sitting in the back unsaved cheap seats with others. Bless his heart; Ole sitting next to me raised his hand. The only one with courage enough to express what was in his heart and probably the majority of the congregation. It’s a valid question and one that every member deserves an honest unintimidating answer to. I truly love and respect this man with a heart for God. Instead the thunder of god came forth from the high priestess – shaming, debasing and justifying for thinking of this and questioning. I think we were invited individually to come to the office regarding this, but no corporate disclosure took place. While not knowing all regarding gifts bestowed on visitors and dignitaries I do know it happened.

During or around the time of Inside Edition investigation, the Friday night fellowship fund raiser was instituted. At first it seemed a nice way to have fellowship and raise money for improvements. This was a pot luck function where members made the food, bought it to the cult and then paid to eat it. Afterwards the children would play in the blocked off part of the parking area behind the cult. The first function went very well and Jane announced on stage during Sunday service that over $1000.00 had been raised! This was to be dedicated to building a grand play ground for the children, she even discussed where to put it. To God be the glory, or so I thought. This fellowship became a regular event. Soon it became opportunity for other creative ways to make more money. (Perpetual apple sale) After months of this, no play ground equipment and no further discussion on this. About a year later a $250 Wal-Mart swing set appeared near the lower building and was quickly broken and unusable. This was not suitable for the dozens of children and fell far short of the grand vision Jane had portrayed as God’s vision and blessing. I was very disappointed as we were instructed not to go to public parks with our children. Amazingly WOFF started to buy homes and property in the area for expansion of the kingdom. To this I believe this fund raiser continues. During the five years when this started and I left, no play ground was ever built.

These are some general thoughts, I’m sure there are more. Some that I carry are more specific and into the business side of WOFF. I would like to encourage others to come forward and help through the guidance and leading of the Holy Spirit.

While this is a public blog the story belongs to myself and may not be used in whole or part without my written approval. Yes I am copywriting this. I will be updating as I continue to unravel events of the past experiences of this cult.

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Thank you, Ben for sharing your remembrances. This snippets help recreate what life at WOFF was like for the regular members at that time. This helps enhance the memories of others and hopefully the healing process, as telling the truth does bring in light. After reading this material, I do beleive a post focusing on Friday night fellowship and other fund raisers needs to be written.

Thank you, for taking time to visit and read this blog. Please, consume the information on this site responsibly. The author is not a licensed mental health professional and encourages those that need professional help to seek it. The intent of the material is to inform and be a resource. Be sure to tell every member that you know at WOFF about this blog. There are readers at WOFF. Comments are invited from all readers, including present or former members. Polls are not scientific and no private information is gathered.

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Please, take time to read the Terms of Use for this personal blog. As mentioned, for posts written by John Huddle, any information about WOFF is from his memories and recollections as perfect as that may be or not be. Scripture references are Amplified Version unless otherwise noted. (Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation ) This is post number 384.